Strathspey and Badenoch water petition goes on line
The woman who has taken the controversial issue of Badenoch and Strathspey’s water supply to the Scottish Parliament has told the Strathy: "It is more important than ever that local people make their views known now. There is simply too much at stake."
Caroline Hayes, of Kincraig, initially a member of the local Water Action Group, is a member of Kincraig Community Council, which ultimately decided to petition Holyrood on behalf of the local water users.
She attended Monday’s public meeting in the Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore to make the point.
"It had become obvious that Scottish Water was only interested taste issues, due to their own agenda of chloramination.
"The more important issue of health was being overlooked and our own survey proved that. The figures were overwhelming in demonstrating the concerns that people had locally.
"We wanted to raise a petition with the Scottish government, but as an organisation we simply weren’t allowed to do that. We were told it had to be handled by an individual, and so I was given that job to do. And as part of our research I have met with Scottish National Heritage and the local fishery board to convey and share concerns over the health issues involved with the possible chloramination of the water supply."
A Scottish Water spokesperson told the Strathy: "Customers can contact Scottish Water in the first instance.
"If they have complaints about our compliance with quality standards, those can be raised with the DWQR.
"Health issues should be raised with GPs, dermatologists and any other appropriate medical professional. There is a process through which any notable trends or issues should then be picked up and escalated to the Consultant in Public Health Medicine (CPHM) at NHS Highland to whom who we are accountable in this area."
The petition, which is now on line until April 12, calls on the Scottish Parliament to i) review the role of the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) and ii) commission independent research into the safety of the chloramination of drinking water.
It is accessible at:
http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01646
